Automatic toilet/urinal cleaning device

ABSTRACT

An automatic liquid dispenser dispenses precisely measured amounts of cleaner/deodorizer into a toilets tank through a closed system is further disclosed. The invention consists of a housing that connects between the water supply line and the water supply inlet of a toilets tank and a refillable liquid storage container. The housing is installed in the flow path of the water supply used to fill a toilets tank for flushing. During the filling of the toilets tank the flow of water is directed over an orifice causing a siphon to be created. This siphon compresses a spring loaded ball check allowing liquid cleaner/deodorizer to flow into the water supply filling the toilets tank When the tank is full it contains a predetermined and precisely mixed amount of water and cleaner/deodorizer.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPOSORED RESEARCH

[0001] Not applicable. References Cited U.S. Patent Documents 3060456 October, 1962 Jacobs  4/226. 4916760 April, 1990 Shahar  4/228. 5186912 February, 1993 Steindorf et al. 422/263. 5261755 November, 1993 Draper et al. 402/264. 5449117 September, 1995 Muderlak et al. 222/646. 5472143 December, 1995 Bartels et al. 239/462 5492247 February, 1996 Shu et al. 222/214. 5547094 August, 1996 Bartels 216/33. 5657065 August, 1997 Lin 347/93 5911851 June, 1999 Barltels et al. 156/345 6230334 May, 2001 Camp et al. 6397879 June, 2002 Ring et al. 137/268 Foreign Patent Documents 579581 January, 1994 EP  4/226 6136804 May, 1994 JP  4/226 WO 96/11850 April, 1995 WO WO 98/09027 March, 1998 WO WO 99/66139 December, 1999 WO WO 99/66140 December, 1999 WO WO 00 42261 July, 2000 WO

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the automatic dispensing of precise quantities of liquid cleaner/deodorizers into an inlet supply line of a toilets tank via a closed system. Toilets are ongoing maintenance items in every household and most household have at least one. Related to the relative function of the device, unsightly rings and mineral deposits are created in the bowl. In addition to these undesirables there are odors generated by its use. Solid block type cleaners have several limitations. Some are continuously in direct contact with the water while flushing, which is designed to dissolve the blocks releasing the cleaning agent. Others are designed to hang in the rim of the bowl so that when the toilet is is a direct correlation to the placement of the block in the toilet and the amount of time the the block is placed in a very small flow path then the device is ineffective. Other liquid cleaner devices do not contain the degree of control needed to ensure every bowl has the same amount of liquid cleaner and deodorizer. Furthermore, other liquid very messy. Both of these cleaning systems require personal contact with the chemical on a timely basis.

[0004] In accordance with this discovery, it is an object of the invention to provide precise amounts of cleaner/deodorizer into the toilet tank for every flush. Another purpose is to provide an easy way of refilling the cleaner/deodorizer liquid needed for the cleaning of the toilet owl or urinal device via a closed system. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to the precise injection and correct mixing of cleaner and deodorizer in each tank for the automatic maintenance free cleaning of the toilet bowl or a urinal. The device contains a means of easily refilling the cleaner/deodorizer container when needed. The present via a closed system. It further limits the exposure of the cleaner/deodorizer to exact proportions while the tank is filling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention will be better understood following the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating the attachment of the device and its liquid storage container to a toilet.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention relating to the function of the device. This view illustrates the process by which the invention accomplishes the above claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Referencing FIG. 1 the drawing illustrates the simplicity of the installation of the device to existing facilities. The automatic cleaner/deodorizer liquid dispenser is a one-body device with all functioning parts of the invention internal. The only part of the device, which is not internal, is the refillable liquid cleaner/deodorizer container. The device attaches to standard fittings and existing supply lines. FIG. 1 illustrates this with respect to the existing normal day toilet functions.

[0010] Referencing FIG. 2 the invention is designed to operate using the existing functions of the normal operation of a toilet. The invention as seen in FIG. 2 (1) and (4) attaches to the toilet tank inlet by simply removing the existing water supply line and screwing the device onto the bottom of the inlet fill tube of the toilet tank On the other side of the device FIG. 2 (5) are male threads, which receive the water supply line which was removed earlier to install the body of the device. After attaching the water supply line FIG. 2 (8) to the inlet of the device via a compressed fitting FIG. 2 (6), the water supply can be turned back on and supply water restored. As presented in FIG. 2 (15) the spring loaded ball check stays in a closed position restricting flow water in the direction of the liquid cleaner/deodorizer container. Therefore when the water supply flows it prevents the filling of the storage container with water. Toilet functions rarely vary in any great detail. Most devices function using a fill tube FIG. 2 (7) which operates by means of a float valve located in the toilets tank. The float applying downward pressure on a setscrew forcing the valve to close as the level in the tank rises controls the level in the tank. The amount of water and the time the water flows becomes a preset fixed volume by the setting of the float valve. A lever attached to the flapper check valve FIG. 2 (10) is attached to a chain. When the lever is pushed down the flapper is pulled up allowing the water in the tank to flush into the bowl forcing the bowl contents into a sewer line. Simultaneously the water valve is opened allowing the immediate refilling of the tank so to force the float to rise repeating the above cycle. Knowing this it is easily understood that the volume of the tank remains very constant. Therefore the time it takes to fill the tank through a predetermined orifice also will be a constant. FIG. 2 Illustrates the process that allows the injection of the liquid cleaner during the time it takes to fill the toilet tank. Because the filling of the tank is a timed function we control the injection of a cleaner/deodorizer relative to the time water flows in order to fill the toilets tank. Thus providing us a precise predetermined mix, which does not vary after every flush. The container, which houses the liquid FIG. 2 (2), contains a siphon tube FIG. 2 (17), which is internal to the container. The tube runs to the bottom of the bottle to siphon all of the liquid from the container. To refill the container there is a cap FIG. 2 (3) located on the top of the device.

[0011] Returning now to the function of the invention we refer to FIG. 2. The toilet is flushed which begins the flow of water through the water supply line and continues flowing through the device into the toilets tank. As the water flows through the device a vacuum is created over orifice FIGURE (12). This vacuum compresses the spring FIG. 2 (13) by creating a siphon effect on the ball check FIG. 2 (15). With the ball check spring FIG. 2 (13) compressed liquid cleaner/deodorizer begins to flow through the siphon tube past the ball check through the orifice FIG. 2 (12) in precise amounts. The liquid mixes with the water supply in the embodiment of the device as seen in FIG. 2. The premixed flow moves through the device into the tank causing the tank float to rise to a predetermined level. At such time the water supply is shutoff the flow of water through the device stops. The vacuum on the ball ceases allowing the spring to force the ball FIG. 2 (15) into the o-ring seat FIG. 2 (14) shutting off the flow of cleaner/deodorizer through the invention. The tank now contains a premixed amount of cleaner/deodorizer and water, which awaits the next flush for the cleaning and deodorizing of the toilets bowl. It should be noted that the present invention is appropriate for all toilet-flushing systems including commercial and industrial systems. All flushing systems work on the same above principles and the device is not limited to just a toilet float systems. For instance after understanding that the timing of the fill is determined by parts already incorporated into the flushing system then the only requirement for the invention to be adapted to other toilets or urinal systems is the dispensing device and the Cleaner/deodorizer. 

I claim:
 1. An automatic liquid dispenser for the dispensing of precisely measured amounts of cleaner/deodorizers into a toilets tank and or urinal through a closed system, the device comprising: a) a housing, comprising a body which a water supply inlet line connects to, an inlet for the injection of a concentrated liquid cleaner in the center of the device and an outlet which supplies premixed cleaner and deodorizer into the toilets tank. b) a refillable liquid storage tank which attaches to the toilet seat and tank mounting screws. An inlet to the body of the device aforesaid in claim 1 comprises a ⅞″ standard male pipe thread for the ease of installation onto an existing flexible water supply line.
 2. Upstream of the inlet inserted into the flow stream of the device is a reduced orifice designed to increase flow to create a siphon for the introduction of liquid cleaner. The inlet of said orifice is connected to a storage tank containing concentrated liquid cleaner/deodorizer.
 3. The outlet of the device is directly attached to the inlet fill tube of a toilets tank.
 4. A spring loaded ball check located in the housing of such device is located between the liquid cleaner/deodorizer storage tank and the flow path of the water supply.
 5. When the toilet is flushed the water supply begins to flow through the device. As water flows over the orifice a vacuum is created causing the ball check to move toward the flow path of the water supply causing the spring to compress. As the ball comes off the seat it allows the liquid cleaner/deodorizer to flow into the tank. Liquid cleaner continues to flow while water flows through the device. When the tank is full a float valve in the toilets tank stops the flow of water. This immediately stops the vacuum effect over the internal orifice causing the ball to check in the seat and liquid cleaner to stop flowing.
 6. After a predetermined amount of flushes the storage container is emptied. Located on the top of the storage container is a cap. By opening said cap the container is easily refilled and the liquid level is restored
 7. The invention is the only toilet and urinal device having an easily refillable liquid cleaner/deodorizer storage container. The ease of installation of the invention is due to the design utilizing existing facilities and standardized fittings. The precise delivery of cleaner/deodorizer into a toilets tank is presently not available in any other device. Finally; the housing design provides for the introduction of the cleaner/deodorizer via a closed system. This prevents personal contact with the chemical used for cleaning the toilet and/or urinal. 